BAHIA BLANCA – MONTEVIDEO (FIBA AmeriCup 2017) – Argentina and Virgin Islands secured a trip to the FIBA AmeriCup 2017 Semi-Finals following the conclusion of Group B in Bahia Blanca. Meanwhile in Montevideo, the Dominican Republic captured its first win of the tournament and USA stepped closer to the Semi-Final qualification.

After a loss on day 1 of Group C, the Dominican Republic bounced back into Semi-Final contention with a dominant 86-64 win over Panama. After ending the first half with a 4-point lead, the Dominicans jumped to a comfortable lead with 43% shooting from the field and complete dominance of the boards. Sadiel Rojas led the Dominicans with a 18-point and 12-rebound “double-double”, while Tony Bishiop put-up 20 points for the Panamanians.

Canada earned its first win of the FIBA AmeriCup 2017 after a 75-66 performance over defending continental champions Venezuela. After fighting evenly during three-quarter, Canada escaped to a slight lead with 48% shooting from the field and great work from Rathan-Mayes. Venezuela relied heavily on John Cox, but then appeared the figure of Brady Heslip, who sentenced the game with a three-point shot in the winding seconds of the fourth quarter.

Led offensively by 15 points from Wendell Williams, USA defeated the Host of Group C Uruguay 74-66, to add its second win of the FIBA AmeriCup 2017. For 35 minutes, the game was close, but at the end USA’s long rotation and bench kept the team’s energy up and the team produced a 24-16 fourth quarter, against a Uruguayan team that fell into a slump. USA’s bench produced 50 of the team’s point, while the opponent’s bench summed only 3 points. Bruno Fitipaldo led the scoring for the home team with 15 points.

Argentina finished the group phase of the FIBA AmeriCup 2017 with the top position of Group B with a 3-0 record, after defeating the Virgin Islands 104-58. With 54% shooting from the field and complete dominance of the game rhythm, the team coached by Sergio Hernandez escaped to an early lead after a 29-10 first quarter. Argentina went on to win all the quarters and secured the top spot of the group. Lucio Redivo led the scoring for the Argentinians with 19 points, 15 of those coming from long range shots.

On the last day of Group Play, USA will face the Dominican Republic and Uruguay will face Panama, to determine the recipient of the last ticket to the spot in the FIBA AmeriCup 2017 Semi-Finals.

FIBA